30 July, 2014

Today I am bringing you my very first Design Team Project for Meg's Garden.

When I first received my papers from Meg's Garden I was so excited, the papers were gorgeous.

The only problem was, because I liked them, I didn't want to cut into any of them.

Well, that wasn't going to get me far was it.

So I took a pair of scissors, took a long deep breath, and cut into a sheet.

For this month's project I choose to work with The Gentleman's Collection

designed by Kerry-Jean Watson.

The papers are beautifully distressed and aged, and are perfect for masculine projects.
I thought this canvas would look great hanging in a gent's office for some inspiration when needed.

This paper collection just called to me.

I love hot air balloons; I think they are majestic and awe inspiring.
I still remember around 17 years ago travelling to work at 5am and seeing their outlines
in a misty sky. Simply Beautiful.

For this project I wanted the look of a sunrise, so I cut 2 strips the size of my canvas.
I then cut both sheets at one time so the rays would line up.
I distressed and inked all my edges with Vintage Photo.
I also moulded each balloon and banner gently to give them a 3D look.
For the quote, I took the commonly used 'The sky's the limit' and added to it.
I really like how it turned out.

28 July, 2014

Today's post features tags created using my new collection The Gentlemen Collection that has been created through Meg's Garden.

For all of these tags I have used the mini pack papers from the collection for the bases.

For the first two tags I wanted to go all out with masculine elements and where else do you go for this but to Tim Holtz. I made my selection from Meg's Gardens very own Tim Holtz Studio category. Choosing Mini Gears and Word Brands, Pen Nibs, Film Strip Ribbon and Ornate Plates. I also threw in a few of Finnabair Vintage Trinkets from Prima that I had left over from a previous project. In the background of the first tag you will also see a little bit of a vintage Advert poking out the side, this is from the Transparencies section titled Ink. I really do love using transparencies in my work, as you can see a clock face which comes from Old World Time Transparency as well. The writing ephemera on the second tag is from the Correspondence Cut & Create. The mini bottles are also available from Meg's Garden where she has a good range to choose from.

These next two tags, as you can see, are a bit different from the first. I have fussy cut the image from the mini pack page stuck them down with some foam tape ( which you can't really tell with these photos). Behind the both cut outs I added the lovely vintage ephemera also from the Correspondence Cut & Create. There is another clock face from Old World Time Transparency and some of Tim Holtz Film Strip Ribbon. I added one of Tim Holtz Keyholes on one and a Pen Nib on the other to enhance to whole look.

For these last two tags I used similar items to the first 4 but added the corrugated cardboard to add some dimension and again I have snuck in another Tim Holtz Plaquettes to add to the grunge look.

I hope I have inspired you all out there. Happy crafting and let me know what you think.

26 July, 2014

Hello everyone, Patti here from the USA, this is my first blog post for Meg's Garden and I must say how happy I am to be a part of this team. For my first project I had anticipated making a set of note cards until I received my package. Once items were in hand I changed it to a File Folder mini album. I love making mini's and have seen so many tutorials floating around YouTube the last few weeks I thought I'd make one to share with you.

I fell in love with the Vintage French Girls and wanted to incorporate them within the pages of the mini. As I said the construction was done with 1 1/2 manila file folders cut, folded and glued to form pockets and pages. You can see from the photo above I had a fabulous time using all sorts of bits from Meg's package. I used the pearl sprays and my favorite flowers, the Carabella Rose Posy in Fairy pink, oh how I love these flowers. I dyed the seam binding and the lace to match the papers and embellishments and to finish off the front.

Throughout the book I used The Gentlemen's Collection and The Correspondence Collection designed by the talented Kerry-Jean Watson for all pages, mats and tags. The girls became a focal point on each page. Using the scraps from the file folders I made tags and supports for the backs of my pockets. You can see I've matted and fussy cut the girls to form pockets for the photo mats. I also created a top pocket which has a post card. All papers are highly distressed using Tim Holtz Distress inks in Gathered Twig and Tattered Rose.

I must confess when I first started the mini I intended on just using The Correspondence Collection but as I got started I saw how easy it was to interchange the papers and elements, like the clock above (which is part of the Ephemera Cut & Create paper), with The Gentlemen's Collection as well.

I loved how these pages turned out. By using the little tiny girls (which are included on the included bonus strip) I created tiny postage stamps which I grouped together and double mounted to form the pocket for the tickets. Creating an angle pocket draws the interest to the opposite page where the pocket holds a tiny booklet for three 3"x5" photos.

This is probably my most favorite page, I'm sure because I love this sleeping little cherub. I backed her for support and then cut around her body to form the pocket for another tri-fold photo booklet. There are several pages I haven't shown which will be included in the walk through on my video below, along with many more photos to give you ideas and inspiration to create your own mini.

24 July, 2014

Hello everyone! Today I am sharing my first project as a new Design Team Member with Meg's Garden. I have decided to create a canvas. After seeing the papers, I felt inspired to create a vintage styled dress. The papers I am using are from the Correspondence Collection which are designed by Kerry-Jean Watson.

To create the background, I cut random strips of Tucson 1909 and French Account and glued them down with Mod Podge to the canvas. I then applied some stencils using modelling paste to add texture and also where the two papers joined. Once dry, I used different pink and brown mists and sprays to decorate.

To create the dress, I used French Account and Mademoiselle Louise. I made a paper mock up first to see if I could actually make it! I used a basic dress template to glue/attach each section onto as I constructed each section. The base section is 30cm x10cm and is just fan folded and attached using Scor tape.I also inked the edges to add definition to each section using a distress ink.

To create the ruffle/gathers, I cut 3 scallops and pinched them into shape. I then added bows and roses.

I used a distress ink to colour the centre of two of the flowers, just to add some colour.

22 July, 2014

Hi everyone!!! Welcome to the Meg's Garden blog!! So nice to have you here.

Today I'd like to share two items made with the lovely 'Correspondence' Papers designed by Kerry-Jean Watson for Meg's Garden. These papers are absolutely gorgeous and so suited to all kinds of projects from dreamy feminine to vintage and even masculine styles. These two projects definitely fall into the 'feminine' category.
First up is a Step Card.

No cutting and trimming here!! I just ripped the papers to size and then curled the edges a bit. Added a little machine stitching for some interest and also did a little background work with a stencil and some Distress Ink but then I covered it up again. I think you can still see a little peek every now and then though.

The sweet little butterfly is from Meg's Garden's More Butterflies Transparency Sheet . The Dodo Vine Wire and the small white rose and rosebud are also from Meg's Shop. I'll leave a list of Meg's Products at the bottom of this page.

This card actually came about because I wanted to use that beautiful grey/blue Primula .. don't you just love the colour?? I know I do ... it is absolutely stunning in real life! Love the gorgeous Heirloom flower too, these two blooms go so well together. Added the circle behind the cluster ( after doing some stamping with Distress Ink) for some added interest and tore some tissue like paper into strips and curled them to fill the space.

The inside was also decorated with the papers. I used the Mini Paper Pack for this card, they are a perfect size for cards and smaller projects.

And here is my card standing up!!!

The second item is an AT Block.

I make my Blocks from scratch and I absolutely love making them! They can be used for so many different things. This one I felt could make a lovely Wedding or Party favor. You could fill it with almonds or a small piece of jewelry or whatever your preference may be.
After cutting the papers to size, I stenciled the side pieces with gesso before I glued it down and added some small pearls to the center of the flowers. I edged all the papers with gesso as well. Once all the pieces were glued on I added the gorgeous Mini Rose Braid around the bottom.

The Dodo Vine Wire on the top of the Block was randomly covered with clear glitter although the photos don't show that very well. The Ivory Primula is another flower I absolutely adore and I just added a small die cut to complete the cluster. The heart was cut out with Fiskars shape cutter and I simply glued on some of the paper, glittered the edge and wrote the thank you by hand.

I also lined the inside of the box with paper and daubed the edges with gesso.

Here is the box filled with some lollies. It only measures 2.75" x 2.75" but you would be surprised at how much you can actually fit in there.

As you can see, I have created two very different items with different sheets from the same Paper Pack.
I do hope you like both my projects and that I have inspired you today!!

17 July, 2014

I have all these old photos of my maternal grandfather who was born in 1905. There aren't a lot of photos of him as a young boy but a lot of him as a young man. I just love this photo of him relaxing in a garden chair in a suit.